NAD: 5150 (mk1) and need some tube suggestions

[Deleted member 8761]

After (flipping) countless amps, I decided to go back to the "old school" amps that I always liked. My favorites still are the Mesa recto's (or Mark's) and the Peavey 5150's. So I picked up a Peavey 5150 a few weeks ago. Price was really decent as everybody seems to be into Kempers these days (here in Europe).

Anyway, the previous owner told me that an "old guy with knowledge" had checked the amp and replaced a few preamp tubes. The rest was supposedly good. I immediately noticed that the amp sounded messy and the volume was not on par. The price was decent so I bought it, because I figured that it had to be tube related. I tested the preamp tubes with the Orange valve tester and found out that two preamp tubes were bad and one was worn out. These were the ones replaced by that "old guy", Sovtek LPS in the PI and loop position (I believe). The rest seems original from China. I replaced the faulty Sovtek tubes (with some old ones lying around) and the problems were solved. Instant metal tone!

Lord knows how old the other tubes are. They tested good, but not strong (as far as you can trust that simple tester from Orange). I have some old 6L6 Mesa tubes and Sovtek WXT+ lying around as backup and tried them out today. The Sovteks seemed more harsh, the Mesa's were my favorite. Volume and bass increased with these significantly. Had to dial back the resonance a bit for my taste. It works for now, but I have to replace them in the near future.

I know there are many threads about tubes, but what are the recommendations for the current production of power and preamp tubes?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[skullfxr]

New production Tung-Sol in V1, sovtek LPS in PI, JJ's are good everywhere else. That's what I put in mine.

 

[Deleted member 8761]

New production Tung-Sol in V1, sovtek LPS in PI, JJ's are good everywhere else. That's what I put in mine.

Thanks. What is so special about the Tung-Sol?

 

[skullfxr]

Regarding the Tung sol - it just works well when I had mine.

Get a 5751 or 12AT7 also. I had a vintage Mullard ECC82 in PI and it was amazing. I don't care for any current production lower output tubes tbh- go vintage

 

[napalmdeath]

New production Tung-Sol in V1, sovtek LPS in PI, JJ's are good everywhere else. That's what I put in mine.

I concur. JJ 6L6's in the power section too.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Every once in a while I get the urge to roll preamp tubes & see if the current line up of amps yields significant changes in tone/feel. Just finished rolling 7-8 different brand/type preamp tubes in several amps and it's the same as usual for me: no significant change. The only amp I've ever owned that I noticed a significant change was the JJ Jr.

Others will have different experience, but to me they all sound/feel pretty much the same regardless of cocktail. From here on out I'm sticking with the cheapest tubes I can find Lol!

 

[JimAnsell]

i was huge fan of 1 5751 or 12au7 in the gain stages of that amp because it has so much thick ass, fizzle-fry gain.
turn it up loud, turn the pres down and the rez up. 6/4/6 on the parametric, never put that pre gain above 6, and rock the fuck out. 5150 is the best cheap amp there is. Pro tone on a budget. don't get too into "modding' these territory. the bias mod is the only one you MIGHT need. After playing a billion different shfiddies, i'm thrilled this amp was made by an american company with budget in mind. anyone can slay a crowd with a $500 shfiddy.

 

[maddnotez]

Every once in a while I get the urge to roll preamp tubes & see if the current line up of amps yields significant changes in tone/feel. Just finished rolling 7-8 different brand/type preamp tubes in several amps and it's the same as usual for me: no significant change. The only amp I've ever owned that I noticed a significant change was the JJ Jr.

Others will have different experience, but to me they all sound/feel pretty much the same regardless of cocktail. From here on out I'm sticking with the cheapest tubes I can find Lol!

Have to disagree respectfully.

Just got a pair of I63 Mullards for the first time and there was an immediate and better difference. Compared to Ruby 12ax7.

I guess I won't say SIGNIFICANT but definitely noticeable. Just better mids.

 

[Deleted member 8761]

Every once in a while I get the urge to roll preamp tubes & see if the current line up of amps yields significant changes in tone/feel. Just finished rolling 7-8 different brand/type preamp tubes in several amps and it's the same as usual for me: no significant change. The only amp I've ever owned that I noticed a significant change was the JJ Jr.

Others will have different experience, but to me they all sound/feel pretty much the same regardless of cocktail. From here on out I'm sticking with the cheapest tubes I can find Lol!

That is my experience with a lot of high gain amps too. Nothing drastic, turning the eq knobs slightly would get you there also. Perhaps with mid gain settings or it really depends on the amp, I don't know. There is a noticeable difference between low gain (AT7 types) and high gain preamp tubes though. Maybe my ears are getting old...

 

[Deleted member 8761]

i was huge fan of 1 5751 or 12au7 in the gain stages of that amp because it has so much thick ass, fizzle-fry gain.
turn it up loud, turn the pres down and the rez up. 6/4/6 on the parametric, never put that pre gain above 6, and rock the fuck out. 5150 is the best cheap amp there is. Pro tone on a budget. don't get too into "modding' these territory. the bias mod is the only one you MIGHT need. After playing a billion different shfiddies, i'm thrilled this amp was made by an american company with budget in mind. anyone can slay a crowd with a $500 shfiddy.

Thanks. You are the second to recommend a 5751. So far I always used the regular 12AX7. I don't know these tubes. From the TAD website it is described as: "The TAD Selected 5751 is our first choice for noticeably improved clarity, smoothness, and a true vintage tone character for most guitar amps!" Do you agree?

BTW, what is are "shfiddies"?

 

[napalmdeath]

i was huge fan of 1 5751 or 12au7 in the gain stages of that amp because it has so much thick ass, fizzle-fry gain.
turn it up loud, turn the pres down and the rez up. 6/4/6 on the parametric, never put that pre gain above 6, and rock the fuck out. 5150 is the best cheap amp there is. Pro tone on a budget. don't get too into "modding' these territory. the bias mod is the only one you MIGHT need. After playing a billion different shfiddies, i'm thrilled this amp was made by an american company with budget in mind. anyone can slay a crowd with a $500 shfiddy.

Thanks. You are the second to recommend a 5751. So far I always used the regular 12AX7. I don't know these tubes. From the TAD website it is described as: "The TAD Selected 5751 is our first choice for noticeably improved clarity, smoothness, and a true vintage tone character for most guitar amps!" Do you agree?

BTW, what is are "shfiddies"?

I find the old NOS USA 5751's to be the only way to go for a 5751. They have tone and character, whereas I find new production 5751's to be somewhat dull.

I have some GE JANS I got from a guy on Ebay, and oddly enough, they seem to increase harmonics and sweeten the tone, even while reducing gain. Great tubes.

 

[Deleted member 8761]

i was huge fan of 1 5751 or 12au7 in the gain stages of that amp because it has so much thick ass, fizzle-fry gain.
turn it up loud, turn the pres down and the rez up. 6/4/6 on the parametric, never put that pre gain above 6, and rock the fuck out. 5150 is the best cheap amp there is. Pro tone on a budget. don't get too into "modding' these territory. the bias mod is the only one you MIGHT need. After playing a billion different shfiddies, i'm thrilled this amp was made by an american company with budget in mind. anyone can slay a crowd with a $500 shfiddy.

Thanks. You are the second to recommend a 5751. So far I always used the regular 12AX7. I don't know these tubes. From the TAD website it is described as: "The TAD Selected 5751 is our first choice for noticeably improved clarity, smoothness, and a true vintage tone character for most guitar amps!" Do you agree?

BTW, what is are "shfiddies"?

I find the old NOS USA 5751's to be the only way to go for a 5751. They have tone and character, whereas I find new production 5751's to be somewhat dull.

I have some GE JANS I got from a guy on Ebay, and oddly enough, they seem to increase harmonics and sweeten the tone, even while reducing gain. Great tubes.

Ok thanks. So as for new production, you would suggest Tung sol in V1 and JJ in other stages?

 

[skullfxr]

Try a 5751, 12AT7 and 12AU7 and see what works best for you. Probably the best $30 you could spend. If you go 5751, go VOS or just don't bother and try a 12AT7 or 12AU7 and call it a day.

A 12DW7 I have heard of putting in V1 for better cleans on the rhythm but have not personally tried.

 

[psychodave]

Every once in a while I get the urge to roll preamp tubes & see if the current line up of amps yields significant changes in tone/feel. Just finished rolling 7-8 different brand/type preamp tubes in several amps and it's the same as usual for me: no significant change. The only amp I've ever owned that I noticed a significant change was the JJ Jr.

Others will have different experience, but to me they all sound/feel pretty much the same regardless of cocktail. From here on out I'm sticking with the cheapest tubes I can find Lol!

Damn. You’re lucky. I hear differences in almost every tube change.


For the topic, the 5150 came with Sylvania 6L6’s and 8th generation preamp tubes.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Every once in a while I get the urge to roll preamp tubes & see if the current line up of amps yields significant changes in tone/feel. Just finished rolling 7-8 different brand/type preamp tubes in several amps and it's the same as usual for me: no significant change. The only amp I've ever owned that I noticed a significant change was the JJ Jr.

Others will have different experience, but to me they all sound/feel pretty much the same regardless of cocktail. From here on out I'm sticking with the cheapest tubes I can find Lol!

Damn. You’re lucky. I hear differences in almost every tube change.


For the topic, the 5150 came with Sylvania 6L6’s and 8th generation preamp tubes.

Lol! It does save me on that particular rabbit hole. Yesterday I tried 6n4s, TAD 7025, 7025s, TAD 5751, JJ AT7, JJ ECC83s, JJECC803s, groove tubes 12ax7s, Tungsol 12AX7s, and some other Poland branded 12Ax7. Rolled them through the MCII, a JMP 2204, an Ultralead and a CL50, and they all seemed about the same to me

 

[JMP2203]

Damn. You’re lucky. I hear differences in almost every tube change.


For the topic, the 5150 came with Sylvania 6L6’s and 8th generation preamp tubes.

yes, same as boogies mark iv

 

[Deleted member 8761]

Damn. You’re lucky. I hear differences in almost every tube change.


For the topic, the 5150 came with Sylvania 6L6’s and 8th generation preamp tubes.

yes, same as boogies mark iv

So what is the alternative for current production tubes?

 

[JMP2203]

i like sovtek 6l6wxt+ and you still can get C8 preamp tubes, heres one:

https://nesstone.com/product/unused-oem ... eamp-tube/

 

[panhead]

you can still get NOS 6l6 for reasonable price or winged C 6l6 for that matter

 

[skullfxr]

you can still get NOS 6l6 for reasonable price or winged C 6l6 for that matter

You can often find Sylvania 6L6's for a fair price.